Golf practice device



May -18,- 1937.

GOLF PRAGTI CE DEVICE Filed Nov. 25, 1936 INVENTOR. L enf/.5 #M6/'aff ATTQRNEYS Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT ortica` 5 claims.

This invention relates to golf practicing devices of the character employed by those desiring to develop skill in striking a golf ball, and the primary object is to provide simple, unique and effective apparatus, whereby a captive ball may be utilized and its action after each stroke observed to indicate accuracy, distance and directional qualities of the player.

One of the important aims of this invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, which has a standard, to which is aiiixed two cords that form the legs of a triangle, at the apex of which is secured the golf ball which, when struck, will carry the two cords around the support until the same have been completely wrapped thereabout.

Another important object of this invention is the provision in a golf practice device, of a rotatable sleeve, to which is attached two cords of different lengths, the 'outer ends of which cords are secured together and to a golf ball, said sleeve having means for releasably securing the same against rotation, whereby the cords may be unwound therefrom.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a golf practice device that is inexpensive to manufacture, rugged, durable, not likely to get out of order, and one which very readily indicates the character of stroke which the player employs to impel the ball.

Minor objects of the invention will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, where- Figure 1 is a side elevation of aA golf practice device, made in accordance with this invention, and in operative position.

Fig 2 is a similar view, with the ball and cords in the position assumed after the ball has been struck.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal, vertical section through the standard and sleeve of the device. f

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view, taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective View of one end of the sleeve, and,

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the ball and means for coupling the same to the two cords.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention exemplified by the accompanying drawing, the device comprises a standard 8, that may be made of any suitable material and pointed at one end as at I0 so that it may be driven into the earth, as shown in Fig. 1. An anchoring element I2 is slidably mounted on standard 8, and is likewise adapted to be forced into the earth so that leaning on behalf of support 8 is precluded.

This anchoring element I2 is novelly formed,

in that it has a number of radially extending walls I4, any one of which may engage the hereinafter mentioned locking pin of the device. A sleeve I6, having a flange I8 at its upper end, and a flange at its lower end, is rotatably carried by standard 8 and its lower flange 20 which supports locking pin 22 that projects into spaces between walls I4.

The provision of a number of walls I4 insures that sleeve I6 might be stationed in any desired position, and disengagement of pin 22 is accomplished merely by lifting or longitudinally lmoving sleeve I6 with respect to standard 8. Thus when pin 22 is out of engagement with anchoring element I2, sleeve I6 may be rotated in either direction, but when pin 22 is in engagement with anchoring element I2, it will be a fixed member that carries cords 24 and 26. f

One end of cord 24 is secured tov sleeve I6 at the upper end thereof, while one end of cord 26 is affixed to sleeve I6 at the lower end thereof. Each flange is provided with a pair of radially extending notches that segregate a tongue 28 therefrom, about which the respective cords may be looped and knotted, as-shown in Fig. 5. The relative lengths of cords 24 and 26 may be altered through such expedient. Cord 24 is shorter than cord 26, and after ball 38 is struck, the two cords will assume the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 1. Cord 2B will preclude any upward movement of ball 30 beyond that height shown in Fig. 1, and as ball 30 travels around sleeve I6, the two cords 24 and 26 will wrap thereabout, as shown in Fig. 2.

The action of gravity upon ball 30 will have a tendency to pull it toward the earth, so that after a perfect hit, ball 38 will lie substantially midway between the ends of sleeve I6.

The means for securing ball 30 to the outer ends of cords 24 and 28, which are themselves fastened together, is shown in Fig. 6, and comprises an anchoring key 32, that passes completely through ball 30. This coupling has two other elements in the form of a cord 34 and a shield of leather or similar material 3B. Shield 36 lies between cord 34 and the eye formed in key 32, so that force is exerted upon elements 32 and 34, while shield 36 protects the point of juncture between the two. The use of a short cord 34 allows replacing a ball 30 whenever desired and serves as means for securing together the outer ends of cords 24 and 26.

It is obvious that in using the device, ball 30 is mounted upon altee 38, and from that location, driven either to the right or the left of the player as he is facing standard 8. Right and left handed players are therefore served by this device, and after the ball is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2, cords 24 and 26 may be unwound merely by raising sleeve I6 and allowing it to revolve about the axis of standard 8 while the cords are unwrapped.

It is conceivable that the physical appearance of the practice device might be altered by employing elements of different forms than those i-llustrated, and it is desired to be limited only by the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A golf practice device comprising a vertically disposed, stationary support; a flexible cord having one end attached to the support adjacent the lower end thereof; a second flexible cordhaving one end aflixed to the support a distance vabove the point of attachment ofthe rst mentioned cord; and a ball attached to the other ends of said cords, the said other ends of said cords being secured together at their point of attachmen-t with the ball, said second flexible cord being shorter than the rst mentioned cord whereby to lift the ball when the samek is driven to insure its location against the support above the rst mentioned cord after the second flexible cord has VWound around said support.

'2. A golf practice device of the character described comprising a standard adapted to be driven into the earth; a sleeve rotatably mounted on the standard; a cord having one end fixed to Vthe sleeve at the lower end thereof; a second cord having one end aflixed to the upper end of .the said sleeve; a ball; a coupling securing together the other ends of said cords and said ball; and means for releasably locking the sleeve against rotation.

3. A golf practice device of the character described comprising a standard; an anchoring element on the standard intermediate the ends thereof adapted to be driven into the earth with said standard to hold the standard in a vertical position; a sleeve rotatably mounted on the standard, having a flange on each end respectively thereof; releasable means for locking the sleeve against rotation; a ball; a cord having one end fixed to one ange of the sleeve and the other rend secured to the ball; and a second cord having one end xed tothe other. ange of the sleeve and the other end thereof secured to the ball at the point of securement of the rst mentioned cord.

4. A golf practice device of the character described comprising a standard; an anchoring element on the standard intermediate the ends thereof adapted to be driven into the earth with .said standard to hold the standard in a vertical position; a sleeve rotatably mounted on the standard, having a flange on each end respectively thereof; releasable means `for locking the sleeve against rotation; a ball; a cord having one end fixed to one flange of the sleeve and the other end secured to the ball; and a second cord having one end xed to theother flange of the sleeve and the other end thereof secured tothe ball at the point of securement of .the rst mentioned cord, said locking means Afor the sleeve being released upon longitudinal movement of the sleeve along the standard in one direction. Y 5. A golf practice device `of the character described comprising a standard; an anchoring element on the standard intermediate the ends thereof adapted to be driven into the earth with said standard to hold the standard Vin a vertical position; a sleeve rotatably mounted on the standard, having a flange on each end respectively thereof; releasable means for locking the sleeve against rotation; a ball; a cord having one end fixed to one flange of the sleeve and the other end secured to the ball; and a second cord having one end fixed to the other flange of the sleeve and the other end thereof secured to the ball at the point of securement of the rst mentioned cord, said anchoring element being slidably mounted on the standard whereby the element and standard may be individually driven into thev earth. LEWIS W. CRAFT. 

